Euclidean domain

Definition

Definition with symbols

An integral domain $R$ is termed a Euclidean domain if there exists a function $N$ from the set of nonzero elements of $R$ to the set of nonnegative integers satisfying the following properties:

• $f(x)=0$ if and only if $x$ is a unit
• Given nonzero $a$ and $b$ in $R$, there exist $q$ and $r$ such that $a=qb+r$ and either $r=0$ or $N(r)<N(b)$.

We call $a$ the dividend, $b$ the divisor, $q$ the quotient and $r$ the remainder.

The definition of Euclidean domain does not require that $q$ and $r$ be uniquely determined from $a$ and $b$. If $q$ and $r$a are uniquely determined from $a$ and $b$, the integral domain is termed a uniquely Euclidean domain.

Relation with other properties

Stronger properties

• Uniquely Euclidean domain

Weaker properties

• Multi-stage Euclidean domain
• Principal ideal domain
• Bezout domain
• Unique factorization domain